Source: Team_Talk
Latics will keep Kirkland - Martinez
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez has no fears about the possibility of goalkeeper Chris Kirkland looking for a transfer in January.[LNB] The Spaniard believes Kirkland will continue to be a "very important asset" for the club.[LNB]Kirkland has found himself on the bench for much of this season after conceding 10 goals in the Latics' opening two Premier League games and struggling with injury.[LNB]Ali Al Habsi has taken his place in goal, but with the on-loan Bolton stopper ineligible to play against his parent club last weekend, Kirkland made his first appearance since August.[LNB]Al Habsi came straight back into the starting XI for Tuesday night's 2-0 win over Swansea in the Carling Cup, though, and reports have suggested Kirkland may be considering his future at the DW Stadium.[LNB]However, when asked if he was worried the 29-year-old might leave Wigan in the next transfer window, Martinez said: "No, not at all.[LNB]"What Chris Kirkland has done for this club, he has earned the respect of everybody here and outside.[LNB]"What is important is that he needs to be 100%, injury free and a big influence around the place, like he is.[LNB]"Playing or not playing, that is just an incident of the moment. Maybe in two weeks he will be playing, and then we will have been talking for no reason.[LNB]"He is a big member of the squad and a very important asset for Wigan Athletic, and that will carry on."[LNB]Martinez is just delighted to have more than one goalkeeper vying for the starting spot.[LNB]"We all saw how well Chris did when he came in and played against Bolton and obviously now we have very healthy competition," the Spaniard said.[LNB]"Ali has got the position at the moment and Chris is putting on a lot of pressure, and that is the kind of healthy competition that you want in a squad.[LNB]"But I think there has been a lot of talk. Things have been very clear with Ali, Chris, Mike Pollitt and myself - football makes the decision.[LNB]"It is important on a daily basis that we have got those standards, that competition is developing at the training ground and that we carry on like this, in every position in the squad."
